Judgment or Justice: A discourse on the Science & Technology Studies (STS) approach to Forensic Science in Criminal Adjudication

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Abstract

Forensic science is an interdisciplinary field typically rooted in objectivity and conventions to establish truth in criminal justice. However, the nature of this discipline extends beyond fact-finding and corroboration, as it operates within a socio-legal reality that shapes its definition and practice. This paper employs a Science & Technology Studies (STS) approach to examine whether forensic science primarily serves judgment—the structured, protocol-driven application of evidence and expert testimony in legal rulings—or justice—a broader, heuristics-based perspective that incorporates case-specificity and the moral imperative to fairness.

Rather than positioning forensic science as an unbiased arbitrator of truth, this study explores its epistemic flexibility—the ways in which forensic knowledge is constructed, interpreted and contested within legal institutions. In the ambit of STS framework, it explores how forensic expertise is shaped by and shapes legal reasoning and forensic practice, while understanding how courts manage the issue of rigid proceduralism vs the pursuit of substantive justice. This paper highlights the evolving role of forensic science in adjudication while examining whether its institutionalization merely reinforces the authority of legal judgment or aligns with the delivery of justice to society.

By adopting a theoretical and conceptual lens, this study examines the role of forensic science beyond its conventional corroborative function, offering critical insights into the relationship between forensic practice, legal formalism, and the criminal justice system.

Authors

• Siddharth Dangi, Jawaharlal Nehru University

• Anamika Gulati, Jawaharlal Nehru University